Frequently Asked Questions

All Events

No though we do encourage entrants to wear a wetsuit for warmth and extra buoyancy. We suggest non wetsuit swimmers are used to swimming in open water in the appropriate temperatures (13℃ in May, 15 ℃ in September).

If you are in any doubt you should seek medical advice from your doctor and ensure you are in good physical and mental health to complete the event. You will be asked to provide any medical information and sign a disclaimer to ensure you are aware of the risks of open water swimming.

For safety reasons we require everyone to be at the event briefing and acclimatisation swim. If you are late due to travel delays we will do our best to arrange a special briefing but please do book your travel to get you there in time.

The events are based around Hugh Town on St. Mary's (the main island) so staying close to there will be more convenient. If you choose to stay on another island you will have to arrange transport to the start as we do not lay this on - there will be an extra cost and you may have to get up very early!

There's a waiver to read and acknowledge during the registration process as follows...

"The Scilly Swim Challenge will involve sea swimming and walking over designated routes decided by the Event Organisers. Whilst the utmost care is placed upon the safety of all swimmers, officials, supporters, bystanders and helpers, entrants undertake the event at their own risk. Sea swimming carries a level of risk that whilst reduced by the safe planning of the event can not be entirely mitigated due to the nature of wild swimming.

The event organisers have the authority to cancel, postpone or change the planned route to ensure the safety of swimmers and all involved. Individuals who in the opinion of the event directors or safety marshals are either at risk or putting others at risk during the event will be removed from the event.

By entering the event you confirm that you can swim a mile in less than 35mins [One Day] / 35-40mins [Two Day], have experience of open water swimming and agree to abide by the guidelines imposed by the event organisers."

Please see the details for each event. Travel to and from Scilly is limited or impossible on Sundays. The one day events have a contingency day so if you plan to leave on event day and we have to change days you would miss the event entirely. Also we may have to alter schedules as we go so cannot guarantee to get you back to St. Mary's by a certain time.

​To make sure we can complete the course in the time we do have a fairly strict timetable to keep to. Swimmers are divided into pods according to their speed. For everyone's safety these pods have to be kept together as a group. If you can't keep up with your pod you will be give the chance of a "piggy-back" in one of the safety boats or to drop back to a slower pod (if available).

We will advise you of clothing/warm kit and footwear to wear on the islands as you move to the next swim. All kit will be moved by a logistical team so it is there waiting your arrival. All warm kit/shoes will be dropped off prior to each swim.

Yes this is mandatory whether wetsuit or non wetsuit swimming. It ensures we have seen and talked to each person and are confident in each swimmers ability before race day. It also provides an opportunity for swimmers to see the clarity of water, get used to the water temperature and make any changes before the race. The acclimatisation swim is not a race.

Yes, we want to encourage people to swim what they believe they can and to give differing options. The team can decide based on distance, weather and individual strengths - as long as you tell us at registration.

We encourage all entrants to follow the land guide along the coastal path, they will be carrying their own and swimmers in their teams kit and can watch the swim race unfold. The coastal path is undulating and an off road track so we suggest long trousers and sturdy trainers or boots are worn.

We have kayakers providing the first line of safety operating on the outside of the swimmers, inside and outside on bay crossings. In addition we have motor boats and a medical support boat. There will be sea and land medic. Land support/timers and assistance is at every swim leg finish.

Solo swimmers will have their warm clothing/essentials (meds, drink, nibbles, footwear) transported by our event team. Team swimmers (2,3 or 4 in a team) are encouraged to transport each team members kit to the finish of that swimmers swim leg and assist the swimmer after their swim leg.

If a swimmer does not complete the swim leg before the cut-off they will be picked up by a support boat or can swim to the shore. For solo swimmers they will not be able to enter the next leg. Teams may start the next leg as normal.